India Women and New Zealand Women kicked off their three-match ODI series in Ahmedabad on October 24, 2024, with both teams eager to gain an early advantage. The Indian side, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, came into the match with confidence, aiming to make a strong statement in front of their home crowd.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first. Veteran opener Suzie Bates anchored the innings with a composed knock, bringing her experience to the fore. Bates reached a well-earned century, her 11th in ODIs, showcasing her class and ability to build an innings under pressure. However, India’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Jhulan Goswami and Renuka Singh, staged a brilliant comeback in the later stages of the innings. The hosts managed to take the last five New Zealand wickets for just 25 runs, restricting the visitors to a modest total of 252 runs.
In response, the Indian openers, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, gave their team a flying start. Mandhana’s aggressive stroke play and Shafali’s fearless approach put the New Zealand bowlers under constant pressure. Despite losing Mandhana after a quick-fire 60, India’s middle order continued the momentum. Captain Harmanpreet played a crucial role with an unbeaten 75, steering India to a comfortable victory with five wickets in hand and seven overs to spare.
This win gives India a crucial 1-0 lead in the series, setting the stage for an exciting second ODI. With the ICC Women’s ODI Championship points up for grabs, both teams will be looking to fine-tune their strategies for the remaining matches.